Tolpuddle

Tasmania is a remarkable place to grow grapes, so in early 2011 we set off for a look and ended up buying a vineyard. The Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley was planted in 1988. The climate is cool and dry – ideal conditions to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of exceptional quality. We believe Tolpuddle will be a great Australian single vineyard.

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW

2013 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir awarded:

Best Tasmanian Pinot Noir
Best Australian Pinot Noir
Best Australian Red

– International Wine Challenge 2015

TOLPUDDLE VINEYARD
“If ever a new winery was born with blue blood in its veins, Tolpuddle would have to be it.”
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2014

Tolpuddle Vineyard was established in 1988 and it took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs: English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. The leader of the Martyrs, George Loveless, served some of his sentence working on a property near Richmond, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard.

The vineyard is planted with mature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, facing north-east, and sloping gently up from Back Tea Tree Road. The soil is light silica over sandstone and of moderate vigour, ensuring well-balanced vines producing grapes of great flavour and intensity.

In 2006 Tolpuddle Vineyard won the inaugural Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year award, reflecting the performance of this unique and distinguished site.

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW purchased the vineyard in 2011 and are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia’s great single vineyards.